A new Era in Chicago Cubs baseball begins tonight with the first of three in San Francisco against the defending World Series Champs. With Alfonso Soriano back in the Bronx, the Cubs will move forward with Junior Lake in left field for now. The Cubs could fill Soriano’s spot on the roster with a pitcher to help give the bullpen some relief from a lot of use since the coming back from the break.

The Cubs are 3-4 on the current 10-game trip and will turn to Edwin Jackson to start the weekend in San Francisco off on the right foot. The Giants took three of four from the Cubs back in April in a series the Cubs should have won all four games.

After tonight’s matchup of Edwin Jackson and Matt Cain, Chris Rusin is scheduled to face Madison Bumgarner on Saturday with Travis Wood and Tim Lincecum wrapping up the series on Sunday afternoon.

Tonight it all starts with Edwin Jackson …

Edwin Jackson is coming off his third quality start in four outings but took the loss in Colorado after allowing four runs, three earned, on five hits with two walks and five strikeouts in seven innings. Jackson threw the ball well and put together the best outing of his career against the Rockies.

Edwin Jackson has been very good of late and is 2-1 in his last three starts with a 1.83 ERA and a 0.81 WHIP. In his last 19 2/3 innings, Jackson has given up 12 hits and four walks while striking out 13 batters.

Edwin Jackson faced the Giants in the finale of the four game series at Wrigley in April. The Cubs jumped out to an early lead on Tim Lincecum but multiple wild pitches, bad defense and a balk ended up costing the Cubs the game. Jackson took a no decision after allowing five runs, four earned, on five hits with four walks and nine strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings.

Edwin Jackson is 2-2 in six career games, five starts, against the Giants with a 5.06 ERA and a 1.59 WHIP … at AT&T Park, Jackson is 1-1 in two starts with a 2.08 ERA and a 1.46 WHIP.

Giants Career Numbers against Edwin Jackson

Brandon Belt – 0-for-3 with two walks

Gregor Blanco – 3-for-8 with two doubles, a triple and two walks

Matt Cain – 0-for-2 with a walk

Jeff Francoeur – 1-for-3

Hunter Pence – 2-for-10 with a double and two walks

Buster Posey – 0-for-3

Pablo Sandoval – 6-for-11 with a double and a home run

Marco Scutaro – 8-for-26 with two home runs

Andres Torres – 2-for-13 with a double, a triple and a walk

Matt Cain has really struggled this season and many are thinking all of the innings he’s pitched have finally caught up with him. Cain is in the middle of the worst stretch of his career. Even with coming off a victory over Arizona, Cain is 1-2 in his last three starts with a 14.63 ERA and a 2.88 WHIP.

The Cubs must make him work tonight, just like that did in April at Wrigley. Cain is just 4-4 in 11 starts in his home park this season with a 5.74 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP. Obviously, Cain has the ability to shut down any team on any given night … let’s hope his season long struggles continue for one more game.

Matt Cain received a no decision at Wrigley in April after allowing two runs on seven hits with two walks and six strikeouts. For his career, Cain is 6-2 in 14 starts with a 2.46 ERA and a 0.98 WHIP against the Cubs.

Cubs Career Numbers against Matt Cain

Darwin Barney – 3-for-8

Welington Castillo – 2-for-3

Starlin Castro – 4-for-17 with a home run and two walks

David DeJesus – 6-for-15 with two doubles, two home runs and two walks